Narrative is a baggy concept. It accommodates anything from a baseball box score to the Iliad.
Might it be possible we employ the term for any sequence of events that
occur through time that seem to have some sort of relationship, a
causal relationship even? Our language, albeit in spite of the Futurist
attempt at words-at-liberty, makes a sequential sense—syntax is time
passing so we could say any sentence or group of sentences is to some
extent a narrative. Which pretty much makes the term useless. As
divergent as my poetic practice is, I try to be alert to possible
strains within drafts that signal modes of connection. For me those
modes of connection certainly don’t need to be rational, logical,
plotted, or telling a story. But any signal whatsoever I try to attend
to and see as an opportunity, so sometimes I do end up using threads of
traditional narrative, the scaffolding of story that can establish a
stability, an endoskeleton. We could say that there is a narrative to
these three words: brick, blood-drop, red feather which entails the
passage from inert material to mortal flesh to a sort of avian/angelic
possibility or we could say that what holds those things together is
their redness. I try to be alert to as many possibilities of
connectedness as I can simultaneously, even if one may undermine the
authority of another.
I
think language is always waiting patiently on us to engage it, to play
with it and arrange its parts, to build something weird out of it, but
the hardest time to stop and think to do this is any space outside of
poems. To “negotiate” with a poem is right--it says things, you say
something back, you say YES! or you say OH NO, but the two of you build
the complete experience together. I always like when part of a poem’s
contribution to the negotiation is a pseudo-“normal” syntax, if it seems
aware and proud of its glitch, and if it wants to subvert my normalized
expectations at every turn.
Who is your favorite NBA player of all time (and you can't say Michael Jordan)? - Ryan Rader
Scottie Pippen, hands down. As a kid, I was amazed by how well he played the sidekick role, how he did lots of things soooo well, yet never was THE GUY (okay, the MJ baseball years, he tried, man, he tried). I've always been impressed with hoopsters who can guard nearly every position, can seem comfortable in whatever position they need to be in, can fill up a stat sheet. And yes, I now realize probably he was a little jealous or something, but he got his rings and his Olympic stuff and his Hall of Fame spot. And most of the time, he was the second best player on the floor, and that is perfectly cool.
Just for kicks, My All-Time Team Made Up Of Players I've Actually Watched Play: PG- Steve Nash, SG- Brandon Roy, SF- Scottie Pippen, PF- Lamar Odom , C- Shaq
What is the pull/draw of elliptical poetry, which is your mode? What does it risk that other modes don't? - Todd McKinney
I’m in Layne’s living room and there it is an elliptical machine, a basic model, no fancy buttons or beeps, but the churn churn legs, and you’re absolutely right. This “elliptical” type deal is what I do. It’s how I live. It’s how I think. So, it is how I write.
First, my mom owned it. Then, I got married and she gave it to my wife. Then, I got divorced. My ex-wife didn’t want it, so I gave it to my best friend. Each person using it differently (my mom like a coatrack, Layne like a soapbox car going uphill). And me in my pjs staring at it each day, each place, each person in some far off place.
As far as the risks, I think it risks becoming too esoteric, too much of a self-centered process, too much of a stupid running circle that people don’t give a shit, don’t find relevance, don’t want anything from it. I think the reward for this risk though, hopefully, can be the personality shining through, the poet’s thinking being so wild and wacky and going-going that otherwise distant thoughts and perceptions get written in nice letters. It risks its audience so that maybe the speaker/writer and the audience can find something together!
Did I not answer the draw part? The draw is that it might be the only way I can write and feel like I’m being true to the T-Gob. It is what falls out of this dummy head of mine.
What are three things that help you write things you like? - Layne Ransom
See the writing process answer
READING IS CRUCIAL TO WRITING DUH. As I’ve become more into small press literature and working with Vouched Books, I read a lot of new books, as well as the new-to-me stuff that classes/friends presented. However, it is really important to me to return to those books that have seriously shaped my writing, or caused me to want to write in the first place, or remind me why I continue to write: Dean Young, Frank O’Hara, The Drunk Sonnets,
Doing shit. I had a coworker today say, You do a lot. Without hobbies, without wandering, without friend time, what the hell would I write about? What the hell would I live for?
Who is your favorite bartender of all time (and you can't say Michael Jordan)? - Ryan Rader
The Nicks. Nick (?) at Savage’s. Nick Teaford at Be Here Now.
What would be the critical analysis of your poems with dance? More specifically, what kind of dance are your poems? Basically, will you dance with me? - Mike Krutel
Maybe, maybe hopefully, it is as weird of a dance as that.
Or maybe my poems dance a little awkwardly, but that's just because it's a slow hump, and that gets the point across I guess.
Or maybe my poems dance like that dreadlocked guy I used to see at Fairfield Church hardcore shows, floor punching and spin kicking.
Probably they're a little too flustered to dance, but if they get up the courage, they'll surely dance with you!
Who in the indie lit community do you look up to most? - Laura Straub
Christopher Newgent - VOUCHED BOOKS IS THE COOLEST Matt Bell - the commitment and work ethic yet still a real good human being Ashley Farmer - She's the nicest person I've met in this scene and that counts for a lot in my book, people! Not to mention a freaking rad writer, that ability to be poetic and tell a cool story. Mike Young - absolute for real wild mind Roxane Gay - editor of one of my favorite journals and presses; serious blogger across the topics J.A. Tyler - He is real! And he is relentless! Heather Christle - The closest thing I've ever seen to lit magic. Ryan Ridge - His ability to write across genres and to be funny or serious or neither or something wild. Brian Oliu - Made me rethink "the essay;" is a constant online presence and still gets good writing to come out of his head; able to write "series" so well and that is something I am interested in doing.
Viscosity questions - Lauren Lowe
1. Thick or thin salsa? THICK 2. Thick or thin BBQ sauce? THICK
3. Chunky or creamy peanut butter? Creamy…and gotta be natural.
4. Maple syrup or honey? No contest: honey. Smash up a banana, drop a couple globs of creamy natural PB and a handful a raisins on top and soak in honey. BOOYEAH BREAKFAST.
5. Body wash or bar of soap? I still haven’t figured out how to use a bar of soap effectively. 6. Do you always squeeze your toothpaste from the bottom of the tube? I’m a mid-tube kinda dude.
7. Milkshake or sundae?Milkshake for its go-ability! 8. Bile, phlegm, urine, or blood? Ha. For what? Are we still talking about eating? My own or others? BLOOOOOD
9. Thick as thieves?
Film
Thick as Thieves (1998 film), a film directed by Scott Sanders
Thick as Thieves (2009 film), a film directed by Mimi Leder starring Morgan Freeman
Thick as Thieves (1991 film), a Canadian film featuring Tony Munch
Thick as Thieves, a 1999 pornographic film starring Buddy Jones
Literature
Thick as Thieves, a Hardy Boys Casefiles novel
Thick as Thieves, a novel by Marie Ferrarella
Thick as Thieves, a novel by Pat Quinn; basis for the 1998 film
Music
Thick as Thieves (album), an album by Trooper
Thick as Thieves, an album by Kicked in the Head
"Thick As Thieves" (Cavo song), a song by Cavo
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Dashboard Confessional from The Shade of Poison Trees
"Thick as Thieves", a song by The Jam from Setting Sons
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Kasabian from West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Natalie Merchant from Ophelia
"Thick as Thieves", a song by The Others from Inward Parts
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Peter Wolf from Come as You Are
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Roxx Gang from The Voodoo You Love
"Thick as Thieves", a song by Short Stack from Shimmy a Go Go
"Thick as Thieves", a song by The Summer Set
"(You & Me) As Thick as Thieves", a song by Bang Bang Eche
Television
"Thick as Thieves" (Benson), an episode of Benson
"Thick as Thieves" (Cold Case), an episode of Cold Case
"Thick as Thieves" (Highlander: The Raven), an episode of Highlander: The Raven
"Thick as Thieves", an episode of All About Me
"Thick as Thieves", an episode of Born and Bred
Thick as Thieves (TV series), a 1974 British sitcom starring Bob Hoskins
10. Thick or thin skin? Who me? Depends on the day, the time of day, who I’m with, if I’ve had any food within the previous two hours, if I’ve been drinking, if I like you, if I like myself, if “I’m Bad” by LL Cool J is playing, the weather, the size of my to-read stack, how the heat changes the pigment of your cheeks.
11. Jello shots? No thanks.
12. What do you want to be poured on and is someone going to get impatient waiting for you to come out of the bottle? GROSS
14. Alan Thicke or Robin Thicke? Francis Thicke
15. Someone who lays it on too thick (writer, famous person, someone you know?) Doink The Clown
16. Someone who doesn't lay it on thick enough (writer, famous person, someone you know?)
I googled "Doesn't lay it on thick enough" and this picture was hit #1
17. Favorite pop culture interpretation or representation of slime?
We meet in an open field. U hand me the bk & something else. What is it & why we out here, anyway? - Layne Ransom
It’s a future copy of yr book and we read poems back and forth to each other until we fall down from joy.
I'm so stoked to say what's up to my chapbook, TELL ME YOU'VE GOT GOOD NEWS, out from H_NGM_N online and free right now. HERE GO LOOK. MEGA THANKS to Nate Pritts for the editorial goodness, Layne Ransom for the nice cover and support, and Todd McKinney for guiding me through this weird journey of poetry.
I'm almost out of groceries, but somehow National Poetry Month pushes forward. Today, Todd McKinney leaves to be a visiting writer at El Paso Community College. Larry Levis is like his fav poet. I dig Levis for sure. Today's poem is In 1967 by Larry Levis. Safe travels, Todd.
It's probably no secret that I think Smalldoggies Magazine is one of the hot things around the web right now. I mean, COME ON, I do contribute to a column there and yesterday, a group of my "On Poems" went up there. IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE WICKED COOL I DON'T KNOW WHAT. That's a joke.
Smalldoggies Magazine main dude Matty Byloos keeps it real. There is a beautiful word buffet waiting FOR FREE. So much developing there and so much gonna happen. I'm so stoked to be a part of it (EVEN A TINY PART).
The Vouched/me/Smalldoggies connection came about after I posted this Vouch of Smalldoggies.
So, I'm super stoked for this opportunity to read some good first/early books and put together a sort-of manuscript, as I prepare for grad school.
Todd and I decided on the booklist this week. Here it is:
*The Man Suit by Zachary Schomburg: Still, I haven't read a Schomburg collection, though I love practically everything I've seen in journals. Excited to see how it all started.
*Four of a Kind by Mark Neely: Saved this one for the class. Neely is my professor, and I think the concept behind this chapbook is great. Excited to see how the poems are.
*Legend of Light by Bob Hicok: Not technically his first book, but an early prize winner for Hicok. Stoked to see his early work more.
*Smiles of the Unstoppable by Jason Bredle: I love Magic Helicopter Press, and though this is Bredle's third book, I wanted it on the list, as MH is a press that I would be interested in submitting to.
*The Cow by Arianna Reines: This list, I know, is dude-heavy and that's a little unfortunate. Hopefully, this suggestion by Daniel Bailey will help.
*THE SLEEP HOTEL by Amy Newlove Schroeder: Winner of the 2009 FIELD Poetry Prize; the contest looked real cool, and the sample poems were nice.
*Sweet Ruin by Tony Hoagland: Though I've read this before, I wanted a chance to study Hoagland's first book with Todd.
*The End of the West by Michael Dickman: Another I've read, but I love this book and I can't say why, so I wanna explore it more.
*The Situation of Poetry by Robert Pinsky: Todd wanted to add a prose-on-poetry book, and since this is Pinsky's first, he chose this one.
1. Blogging explodes words, but why, ain't like the pressure is so high on the Internet, we can all keep cooling nice and fine on Facebook or Craigslist or whatever, right? Sometimes, we gotta scrapbook ourselves, like little collages with our faces and brain maps. Sometimes, we are soooooooo right and everyone has to know! Sometimes, we make friends and blogging is for friends (and others). Todd is blogging now, dishing out some cool links, and Ashley is on a 30 day challenge, where you can find some cool pictures of me thank you very much. These are two cool people and I'm glad to see what they have to share.
2. Yesterday at Hyde's Bookstore, I spent too much money on Who's Who Vivid by Matt Hart, Saying The World by Peter Pereira, Vacationland by Ander Monson, Actual Air by David Berman, and Notes Of A Native Son by James Baldwin. Yikes, my bad on the money dropping. But holy cow, who sells these gyms to a used bookstore in Ft. Wayne IN? Someone who loves me a lot a lot, that's who.
3. Don't buy your friend a bottle of old-fashioned root beer and put it in the trunk.
5. Here is one of the first I'm So Stoked poems I ever wrote:
Ode To A Deer
I’m so stoked you are alive. I’ve never killed one of you, but it is certainly on my to-do list and today I’d like to cross it off. I’ll give you a head start. Go. Really, go. Your blood is something I need on my hands. I know it’s not fair but I will catch you and kill you and eat you. I can do this. I am a human. I have guns and ammo and camo gear and you are just a deer with a white tail I can see from a mile away especially with my high tech binoculars.
Peeping through the new arrivals and boom Todd pops me in the jaw with ANDER MONSON. Dude's first poetry collection beat on my soul (don't say soul!) and the few poems I consumed in store said this thing's gonna rule me more. Thank you.
To the new poetry aisle! To my list! David Shumate conundrum: buy the collection I read (and loved!) or his debut. Debut wins! Thank you.
Downstairs was used book heaven, part creepy, part comfortable, decent smell, oh yeah. I pick up Back Country by Gary Snyder and can't put it down for some reason, it's glued to my hand, my soul. Todd looks at me like what? Thank you.
THREE MERWIN'S USED 5 BUCKS EACH! MR. LAUREATE! BUT I CAN'T GET THEM ALL! FLIP FLIP FLIP! STRAWBERRIES AND QUESTIONS FOR TOURISTS STOPPED BY A PINEAPPLE FIELD IN OPENING THE HAND! THANK YOU!
Wonder down to criticism. Question: Is criticism cool? I like words and hearing words, other people's words, and writing words about words about words. So, maybe? Anywoah, Jarrell is there, two copies!, I chose the cheaper, but still, used and beautiful and words. Thank you!
I passed up things like a Diagram Anthology, a Wallace Stevens selected poems used, My Alexandria (used) by Doty, a few other prose poems books (Byrne, Gary Young, etc.) what's my deal with pp's?, other wordz. Thank you anyways.
Honest here, I've never quite been sure how to deal with this friendship. This guy is my professor, my faculty advisor for the Writers Community, my (um) mentor. But, also, this man is geniunely nice to me, like nicer than most people, like nicer than everyone sometimes. (I'm not complaining, man, so many people are soooo nice to me, Todd just rules niceness sometimes.) Example 1: Just now, he stopped by here (The Writing Center..shhhh) to say hey. Example 2: He takes his time, amongst a life of literary work, teaching, being a good dad/husband, running, etc., to talk to me, to listen to my muddled thoughts, to listen to me make stuff up sometimes. I'm not sure why he does this. Example 3: He's given me free access to his bookshelf. Well, besides his sweeeeeeeeeet top shelves (signed books, first editions, specialz). He has a manuscript version of Hoagland's Donkey Gospel!!!!! But yeah, he says, here borrow this, read this, learn this, be cool. I'm trying! I'm trying!
